Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Fairfax, VA
Considering a move to Fairfax, VA? This vibrant city of 24,146 residents offers a high median home price of $650,000 and average rents around $2,050, reflecting its desirable location and amenities. With a low violent crime rate (77 per 100k), strong household incomes, and top-rated schools, Fairfax is ideal for families and professionals alike. Enjoy a short 33-minute average commute, a highly educated community, and a pleasant climate with 58% sunny days each year. Explore more below to see why Fairfax stands out for quality of life in Northern Virginia.
Demographics - Fairfax, VA
Demographics - Fairfax, VA
Fairfax, Virginia is home to about 24,146 residents, featuring a diverse population with nearly 18% Asian and over a quarter of the community speaking a language other than English at home. The median age is just over 39, contributing to a balanced mix of families and professionals in a city with moderate population density.
Population:
24,146
Density:
3,900 per sq mi
Median Age:
39.1
Gender Ratio:
96 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
27.5%

Ethnic Composition
White:
57.1%
Black:
4.3%
Asian:
17.8%
Others:
20.8%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Fairfax, VA?
Living in Fairfax comes with a higher cost of living, with a median home value of $650,000 and average rents around $2,050 per month. The overall cost of living index is 150.2, reflecting especially high housing expenses, but residents benefit from strong local amenities and services.
Median House Value:
$650,000
Gross Rent:
$2,050
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$140
Auto Insurance:
$1,320
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$2,880
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$820
State Taxes:
Low:
2.0%
|
High:
5.75%
Cost Of Living Index:
150.2
Grocery:
117.3
Housing:
198.0
Utilities:
108.2
Transportation:
122.5
Health Care:
107.8
Miscellaneous:
112.3
Crime
Is Fairfax, VA a safe place to live?
Fairfax boasts a notably low violent crime rate of 77 incidents per 100,000 people and a property crime rate of 1,035 per 100,000, making it one of the safer communities in the region. The chance of experiencing violent crime is about 1 in 1,300, offering peace of mind to residents.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
77
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,035
Crime Index:
1,112
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 1,300
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 97
Weather
What is the weather like in Fairfax, VA year-round?
Fairfax experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers averaging highs of 88°F and mild winters with lows around 26°F. The city enjoys 58% sunny days and receives about 43 inches of rainfall annually, providing a comfortable and varied climate year-round.

Winter
Min:
26°F
Max:
44°F

Spring
Min:
45°F
Max:
70°F

Summer
Min:
66°F
Max:
88°F

Fall
Min:
48°F
Max:
70°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
43.1 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
58%
Neighbors
Residents of Fairfax enjoy strong financial stability, with a median household income of $121,000 and a low poverty rate of 6.1%. The community is highly educated—over 63% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher—and most neighbors commute around 33 minutes to work.
Median Income:
$53,000
Household Income:
$121,000
Family Income:
$139,000
Per Capita Income:
$54,700
Income Male:
$65,500
Income Female:
$52,100
Poverty Rate:
6.1%
Non English Speakers:
27.5%
Rent:
$2,050
Unemployment Rate:
2.8%
Public Transport Usage:
7.9%
Commute Time:
33.1 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
94.6%
Bachelors or More:
63.4%
Education
How are the schools in Fairfax, VA?
Fairfax is known for its excellent educational opportunities, from well-regarded public and private schools to higher education institutions like George Mason University just two miles from downtown. Local schools offer favorable student-teacher ratios and serve a diverse, engaged student population.

Public Schools
Name:
Fairfax High School
Street:
3501 Lion Run
Phone:
703-219-2200
Students:
2,400
Student Teacher Ratio:
15.3
Name:
Daniels Run Elementary School
Street:
3705 Old Lee Hwy
Phone:
703-279-8400
Students:
850
Student Teacher Ratio:
13.8

Private Schools
Name:
Paul VI Catholic High School
Street:
10675 Fairfax Blvd
Phone:
703-352-0925
Students:
1,050

Colleges
Name:
George Mason University
City:
Fairfax
State:
VA
Distance:
2 miles
Students:
39,000
Name:
Northern Virginia Community College
City:
Annandale
State:
VA
Distance:
8 miles
Students:
75,000
Healthcare
Fairfax offers excellent healthcare access, including major hospitals like Inova Fairfax Hospital and Virginia Hospital Center, and a high ratio of 2.9 physicians per 1,000 residents. With more than 94% of the population covered by health insurance, quality medical care is readily available.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Address:
3300 Gallows Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone:
(703) 776-4001
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Virginia Hospital Center
Address:
1701 N George Mason Dr, Arlington, VA 22205
Phone:
(703) 558-5000
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
2.9
Health Insurance Coverage:
94.2%
Health Care Index:
78.8
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Fairfax, VA?
The Fairfax housing market is competitive, with a median home price of $650,000 and average rent for a two-bedroom at $2,050. A high owner-occupied rate of nearly 69% and steady home appreciation indicate a stable and desirable real estate environment.
Median Home Price:
$650,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$2,050
Owner Occupied Rate:
68.5%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
4.9%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
4.2%
New Construction Rate:
2.1%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.3%
DMV Information
Residents can access the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles at 4150 Patriot Drive in Fairfax for licensing, registration, and other vehicle services. The DMV provides a full range of services both in-person and online to meet local transportation needs.
State:
Virginia
Department:
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
4150 Patriot Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone:
1-804-497-7100
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.